Catch clasp for ladies&#39; mesh bracelets



Dec. 2, 1930. L. F. OTT N 1,783,306

CATCH CLASP FO R LADIES MESH BRACELETS Filed Oct. 8, 1929 INVENTOR.

' 4TTORNEY Patented Dec. 2, 1930 UNITED srre at enrich A LAWRENCE F. OTTEN, OF FORT THOMAS, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR TO THE WADSWORTH "WATCH CASE (70., OF DAYTON, KENTUCKY, A CORPORATION OF KENTUCKY 7 CATCH CLASP FOR IlADIES MESH BRACELETS Application filed October 8,-1929. Serial No. 398,165.

My invention relates to catch cl'asps for mesh bracelets and particularly to the type in which one end of the catch clasp secures a loop end of the mesh band and the other portion of the loop passes through the'catch thereby enabling the adjustment of the size of the loop by movement of the catch clasp along the band of mesh passing through it.

In the art the provision of a bracelet for a wrist watch in Whichone side of the watch is secured to a flexible band having a slotted end piece and in which the other side of the watch is secured to a flexible band having a looped end in which the looped end is adj ustable to vary the size of the bracelet, is old. Catch clasps have been provided in which the end of the loop portion of the band is secured and in which portions of the catch open up to release the continuous portion of the band passing through the catch clasp. it is quite a problem to provide such a catch clasp with a spring which bears against the mesh of the band with just sufficient force to hold the hand without so indenting the band that after usage for some time, the mesh bracelet becomes disfigured and unsightly.

Broadly it is the object of our invention to provide an adjustable catch clasp for a continuous mesh bracelet which may be adjusted to securely hold the bracelet but with out marring it.

Another object is the provision of a catch clasp in which means are provided to prevent the opening of the catch clasp to such a position that the bracelet will be kinked and lave a tendency to bind in the catch clasp and prevent free adjustment.

A still further object is the provision of a catch clasp in which the space occupied by the catch clasp or portions on the catch clasp other than the mesh bracelet are minimized to such an extent that a very pleasing appearance is obtained.

-The above objects and other objects such as economy in construction and mechanical efficiency in the arrangementof the parts 1 accomplish by that certain combination and arrangement of parts of which I have shown a preferred modification. 1

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan View of my preferred typ of catch clasp.

Figure 2 shows in side elevation a catch clasp illustrated in plan in Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a bottom planview of the preferred type of catch clasp employed.

Figure is a sectional View of the catch clasp as it would appear if taken along the lines 4-4 in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a perspective View of the catch clasp in open position.

Figure 6 is an end elevation of the catch clasp taken from the left as viewed in Figure 4.

Figure '4" is an end elevation of the catch clasp taken from the right as viewed in Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a bottom plan View of the upper cover member of the catch clasp.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken longitudinally through the catch clasp in open position showing my novel means for limiting the movement of the cover portion of the catch clasp.

As clearly indicated in Figure 1, the mesh bracelet comprises a mesh band 1 preferably welded to a tubular attaching member 2 which snaps over the attaching pin3 of the wrist watch. A loop 4 is formed in the flexible mesh band which is slidable in a slotted member 5 retained by a mesh band portion which is secured inthe mounting pin of the watch opposite the pin 3. The end of theloop portion 4 is soldered to a tubular member 6 which is mounted on the hinge pin 7 of the catch clasp.

The catch clasp consists of an upper cover member 8 which may be suitably decorated to conform to the appearance of the bracelet if desired, and a lower slider member 9 through which the continuous band of the bracelet slides. The cover members 8 and 9 are hinged together on the hinge pin 7. The cover member has depending side portions 10 which lit snugly on theoutside of the upstanding side portions 11, of the slider member 9. When the sides lOof the cover member register with the sides 11 of the slider member-ont- .wardly flared lugs 12 of the side members 11 seat within depressed portions 13 of the side members 10.

The cover member 10 of the catch clasp has an inwardly return bent spring portion 14 which has a cutaway portion 15 to prevent too great rigidity of the spring. The spring portion 14 is not as wide as the cover member being provided with cutaway portions 16 to allow for seating ot the hinge portions 17 of the slider member 9. The hinge portions 17 of the slider member are formed with extended ends 18 against which the edges of the cutaway portions 16 of the cover member bear when the catch clasp is open. This prevents the cover member from being opened so far as to kink the bracelet and pre vent its free adjustment. When the catch is closed as indicated in Figure at, the end of the spring portion lei bears just sufiiciently against the surface of the continuous band of the bracelet as to prevent this band from slipping through the slider. It does not have any tendency to indent the slider so as to mar the appearance of the mesh. Further in the use of the tubular mounting member for the secured end of the loop, I have provided a construction in which the size of the catch clasp relative to the length of the bracelet is minimized so that an exceptionally delicate and ornamental mesh bracelet may be made in which the catch clasp is at the same time durable and eiiicient and still not so large as to be out of proportion to the size of the bracelet.

The operation of the catch clasp will be apparent. To adjust the clasp the wearer of the bracelet pulls up on the cover member and opens it out to the position indicated in Figures 5 and 9. This allows the band 1 to be pulled freely through the slider. A slight downward pressure on the cover member causes its depending sides to register with the sides of the slider and the outwardly flared types 12 in the slider set within the depressed portions 13 of the depending sides of the cover member.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A sliding clasp for a mesh wrist watch bracelet comprising a plate to underlie the bracelet and a plate to overlie the bracelet, said plates being hinged together with a hinge pin, a sleeve mounted on said hinge pin and an end of the bracelet soldered to said sleeve, one of said plates having an extension acting as a spring arranged to bear against a continuous portion of the bracelet and thus secure the clasp in desired adjustable positions on said bracelet.

2. A sliding clasp for a mesh wrist watch bracelet comprising a plate to underlie the bracelet and a plate to overlie the bracelet, said plates being hinged together with a hinge pin, asleeve mounted on said hinge pin and an end of the bracelet soldered to said sleeve, one of said plates having an extension acting as a spring arranged to bear against a continuous portion of the bracelet and thus secure the clasp in desired adjustable positions on said bracelet, said extension being formed by the bending hack of an integral part of the plate overlying the bracelet.

3. A sliding clasp for a mesh Wrist watch bracelet comprising a plate to underlie the bracelet and a plate to overlie the bracelet, said plates being hinged together with a hinge pin, a sleeve mounted on said hinge pin and an end of the bracelet soldered to said sleeve, one of said plates having an extension acting as a spring arranged to bear against a. continuous portion of the bracelet and thus secure the clasp in desired adjustable posit-ions on said bracelet, said extension being formed by the bending back of an inteit part 01 the plate overlying the bracelet, said extension havmg cutaway portions to decrease the rigidity of said spring.

LAWRENCE r. ()TTEN. 

